A different kind of ‘ghost’ story

JILLIAN Ward (left) and Mona Louise Rey play a unique pair of pals.

The first telecast of the new afternoon soap, “My BFF,” introduced viewers to a jovial couple played by Manilyn Reynes and Janno Gibbs, and to their only daughter, portrayed by Jillian Ward.

Their lively and loving family appeared to be quite ordinary, but was actually different and special, because a psychic streak ran through it.

Most of the time, it remained hidden and unutilized, but it would occasionally flare up, reminding them that they weren’t like the folks next door.

During the premiere episode, Manilyn was in the family way and they were looking forward to the arrival of their new “angel”—but, Manilyn had a difficult pregnancy and had to be bedridden most of the time, to forestall a premature delivery.

Despite the great care they took, however, stresses brought on by problems that included an extramarital distraction on Janno’s part resulted in even more stresses. Most tragically of all, Jillian had a terrible accident that stunned viewers last July 1.

Sad denouement

But, viewers, take heart: From this sad denouement comes the new series’ central plot conceit, because Jillian, now in spirit form, turns out to be her baby sister’s best friend or BFF—hence the new show’s title.

We expect that, given this emerging central plot premise, the series will involve its characters in seemingly strange and weird events and encounters, which can be explained by the fact that Jillian is just making her puckish, playful presence felt in the family’s life.

It’s also quite possible that she will rescue some people in dangerous situations or predicaments, and provide other psychic solutions to this problem and that in their neighborhood, to everyone’s bafflement.

Well, it’s still early days for the new series, so we’ll just have to wait and see how it actually pans out.

This early, however, we should note that former teen heartthrobs Janno and Manilyn make up quite a comfortably antic pair, but that Jillian comes across a bit too heavy and sluggish, instead of lively.

As for the rest of the production, the show could do with a clearer sense of focus and direction in the handling of some of its scenes, which tend to be too loose and unstructured for comfort.

Awkward subplot

A particularly awkward subplot has Janno dallying with a new flame (Valerie Concepcion), which adds to Manilyn’s pain and further sours up their marital relationship.

The interloper is inserted into the series’ storytelling rather clumsily, so she comes off as an unconvincing and “forcing-through” complication for complication’s sake.

A still untested element is the performance of Mona Louise Rey as Jillian’s younger sister. She has a sweet and expressive face, but we hope that she also turns out to be a believable young actress, because the credibility of her reactions is needed to make the series’ all-important “ghostly” interactions and interventions “work.”